After receiving a tip from the public about potential alligator violations on the Richard K. Yancey and Grassy Lake Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), agents set up surveillance in the area. The WMAs are adjacent to each other and separated by the Red River with Richard K. Yancey WMA located in Concordia Parish and Grassy Lake WMA in Avoyelles Parish.

On the morning of Sept. 5, agents observed Ussery take an alligator from the Grassy Lake WMA without using an alligator tag. Ussery had previously won a bid to legally take alligators from the Grassy Lake WMA.

Later in the morning, agents observed Ussery take two alligators on the Richard K. Yancey WMA, which is an unapproved area for taking alligators.

After making contact with Ussery, agents located two more alligators in Ussery’s vessel and three more on lines that belonged to Ussery on the Richard K. Yancey WMA. Agents seized six alligators, Ussery’s remaining tags for the Grassy Lake WMA and the rest of the lines he had set on both WMAs.

Failing to comply with alligator tagging requirements and taking alligators from an unapproved area each bring a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense.